Ron Giorgio Tribute Artist

I was asked to interview local vocalist Ron Giorgio and after researching Ron on Facebook, @RonGiorgio Entertainment, I was really interested how a 21 year old starting singing Sinatra. Ron has been called one of the most talented entertainers of the circuit singing the hits of Sinatra and Dean Martin to Doo-Wop and teen idols Bobby Vinton and Frankie Avalon. He has been called a “Crooner”, I’ve heard the term used before but wasn’t exactly sure what it was. From Wiki, “Crooner…. a term used to describe primarily male singers who perform using a smooth style made possible by microphones which picked up quieter sounds and a wide range of frequencies, allowing the singer to utilize more dynamic range and perform in a more intimate manner. To croon, speak softly was suggested to drive the teen girls crazy. The crooning style was epitomized by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.”

I met Ron at Maria’s Cucina on Broadway in Providence to watch him perform. It was my first time at Maria’s and I immediately loved it, it felt like I was in Italy with the décor and friendly atmosphere and the banter at the bar about the Godfather movies. Perfect place to interview Ron.

Ron was introduced to music at the young age of 3. His maternal grandmother loved Elvis and he used to sing Elvis around the house. Songs like “Teddy Bear” That’s how he started getting into music with his grandmother playing the records. “So I got into Elvis. That was a big thing for me for years as a kid. I use to sing at family parties.” Ron said. His grandmother passed away when Ron was 11 and he stopped listening to Elvis because it was too difficult for him and then “got into Sinatra. I don’t remember exactly why. I got a record player for Christmas one year and the first record I ever got was from my paternal grandparents. The record was “Come Dance with Me” by Sinatra. I loved the album which is how I got into Sinatra at 11 years old.” He said. He exposed a lot of his friends to this music growing up. Growing up he listened to Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson.

When Ron was in middle school they had a talent show and he was encouraged by his family and friends to perform. He wasn’t really interested but did it anyway. He performed “The Way you Look Tonight” by Sinatra which was the first time he ever sang in public in front of a lot of people. About a month later he got a call from the Valley Breeze and they wanted to interview him. They did a cover story on 12 year old Ron. They had seen him perform at the talent show. “I thought it was a joke. I was a little kid. They did a story on me and that really started people calling and wanting me to sing at events.” he said. Then high school came and he stopped performing until he met his best friend and who he calls his manager Anthony “Nappy” Napolitano, former president of the Italo-American Club in Providence. He knew Anthony his whole life and he grew up on the Hill with Ron’s Grandfather. But at 16 he started singing at Anthony’s godsons place “Anthony’s Authentic Italian Cuisine”. It was Ron’s first gig singing there every Thursday night. ”Nappy” got him into Anthony’s and the Italo-American club where Ron is the youngest member. That’s how he went from singing at home to singing out. Ron loves Doo Wop, The Duprees is his favorite. He is also the lead singer in a Doo Wop group called “Classic Blend” and with his band he does a couple shows a month..

Ron Giorgio

Rhode Island’s youngest tribute artist Evoking the classic style of the 50s, 60s & 70s

“Sinatra didn’t get his big break ‘til he was 24 so I’ve got three years!”

By L.A. Reilly

Ron also enjoys singing with live bands. “I’m at my best with a live band. I feel it more and it’s such a great environment.” When he first started he played with some local orchestra bands. In 2017 Ron performed a Doo Wop and swing show at the Venus De Milo where he sang Sinatra songs as a featured vocalist. Although he doesn’t come from a musical family, Ron said “My grandfather, Ronnie Giorgio, grew up on Federal Hill and in those days the Italians were big into music. He was definitely a great singer and still is. In his teen years he had a group and would sing on the corner of Federal Hill. His group was called ‘The Dreams’ and it was a street corner group. So I guess I got it from him”. His favorite musician of all time? Yup, Sinatra. “The Italians have two pictures on their walls, one of the pope and one of Sinatra and the Sinatra picture is a little higher”, he joked.

As for the future…Ron would love to put out an album but just hasn’t had the time but “If ever there was a record company that wanted to take me on” he would definitely take the chance, but for now he is going to keep doing this and hope more opportunities come along. “As a kid working in the restaurants I would watch singers perform and thought to myself that I would love to someday have a band. And now I’m doing it! I’m getting to do something I always wanted to do” and he says this has opened so many doors for him. He sang the last event that was at the Superman Building, which “was a fashion show and I sang before the show. It was amazing. I’m in the Superman building , in the lobby, and it was the last time anyone was in the building” he exclaimed. For Ron, it’s always different, always new and always exciting. “I can’t sit still so it’s perfect for me”

Every other Wednesday Ron performs at Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille on Atwells. Every Thursday night at Maria’s Cucina. Every so often is at Anthony’s Restaurant on a Friday. Sometimes at The George on a Saturday. When I asked him if he was busy this week…”I’ll tell ya what, this week, starting today I will be singing every single night for the next two weeks. It’s a little more difficult than people think it is. Lot’s of balancing it all out. Here I am, I’m 21. I’m singing music that kids my age just don’t sing and I’m probably one of the youngest performers in RI to do this kind of music. “ He said the proudest things in his life is his singing and being an Italian American. “My heritage is probably one of the biggest things for me.” Anthony “Nappy” Napolitano & Ron Giorgio

After the interview I watched Ron perform for the first time. The crowd loved him and I could understand what it was like listening to a “Crooner”. He even dedicated a song to me. Yes, Ron knows how to work the crowd and I didn’t want to leave.